Helpful Score: 6
Apparently, 'Chindi' is part of a series of books all set in the same universe by McDevitt, but this is the first book I've read by this author. A wealthy group devoted to the search for extraterrestrial civilizations gets an experienced pilot assigned to their mission. Although they're widely regarded as being a bunch of kooks, the mission is more successful than anticipated: a network of broadcasting satellites is discovered, all circling planets which have signs of now-dead civilizations - and they lead to a mysterious, gigantic alien spacecraft which seems to be an unmanned craft, creating a museum of alien civilizations.
The book is written reasonably entertainingly - in that it's got decent characterization, a constant flow of mystery, romance, action, and a near-constant death toll, but the problem was that I kept waiting for the big revelation that was going to reveal why all these alien civilizations seemed so remarkably and unbelievably HUMAN - I mean, one place they find is a near-exact simulacrum of a 19th-century European sitting room, just a little bit bigger - and no one even thinks that that is odd. But nothing of the sort ever came up in the book, and all I can attribute it to is a remarkable lack of imagination in describing possible alien cultures.
The book is written reasonably entertainingly - in that it's got decent characterization, a constant flow of mystery, romance, action, and a near-constant death toll, but the problem was that I kept waiting for the big revelation that was going to reveal why all these alien civilizations seemed so remarkably and unbelievably HUMAN - I mean, one place they find is a near-exact simulacrum of a 19th-century European sitting room, just a little bit bigger - and no one even thinks that that is odd. But nothing of the sort ever came up in the book, and all I can attribute it to is a remarkable lack of imagination in describing possible alien cultures.
Helpful Score: 4
If you like wordy science fiction in the vein of the masters Asimov and Clarke then this will be a delight to read. Humans finally find out if there is other life in the universe. But maybe they don't want to have the answers to all the questions they want to ask?
Helpful Score: 3
Jack McDevitt's Chindi is your basic human-alien-contact story. These kind of stories often include Big Dumb Objects. Chindi adds in a large number of Small Dumb Objects, too.
The book is fun. There's a good balance of action and exploration. There are plenty of unanswered questions. (Maybe too many.) The beginning drags a bit to develop the characters, but it pays off later in the story. Still, it could have been handled more smoothly. Overall, a good read.
The book is fun. There's a good balance of action and exploration. There are plenty of unanswered questions. (Maybe too many.) The beginning drags a bit to develop the characters, but it pays off later in the story. Still, it could have been handled more smoothly. Overall, a good read.
Helpful Score: 2
I am anxiously waiting to read the sequel, Omega. This book has made me request other books by Jack mcDevitt.
Helpful Score: 1
A nice trip into outerspace the way we imagined it as kids. An entertaining book with nicely imagined alien landscapes. But will there be aliens.....?
Helpful Score: 1
If you like Jack McDevitt, then you will like this book.
Even though I read this book thinking it was the first in the series, I enjoyed Hutch's travels. I'm glad that I was able to get the earlier books to catch the back story through the club as well. While the books are somewhat long-winded, I enjoy them as a means of telling a futuristic story through the eyes of a believable personality. I do wonder why trouble of this magnitude keeps following her around. I would think that management would ground her.
Helpful Score: 1
Hutch: That's a really bad idea, and I can't allow it.
George: What could do wrong? It's safe. I assume the risk.
Hutch: No, someone could die. I can't let you.
George: BUT I WANNA!
Hutch: Okay fine, I'll go too.
(someone dies)
And repeat...
While I did enjoy the action in this book, it's a lot like Deepsix. I think I might have to spread out re-reading the series in order; MCDevitt is going to follow this same formula and I need some time to forget each one I guess. Lots of alien ruins, a Big Dumb Object, and enough heroism to satisfy anyone. All the characters are likeable, even the Mogambo guy grows on you during his brief scenes. I have to wonder about Hutch though and I also wonder about the laws. You'd think the starship captain would have the absolute final say, wouldn't you? But she caves in constantly, thinking about the repercussions if she doesn't. The end bit, where Tor needs rescuing, went on way, way too long. The idea was cool but McDevitt throws in problem after problem after problem until finally you're thinking, okay NOW what's going to go wrong? Good idea, just too much.
George: What could do wrong? It's safe. I assume the risk.
Hutch: No, someone could die. I can't let you.
George: BUT I WANNA!
Hutch: Okay fine, I'll go too.
(someone dies)
And repeat...
While I did enjoy the action in this book, it's a lot like Deepsix. I think I might have to spread out re-reading the series in order; MCDevitt is going to follow this same formula and I need some time to forget each one I guess. Lots of alien ruins, a Big Dumb Object, and enough heroism to satisfy anyone. All the characters are likeable, even the Mogambo guy grows on you during his brief scenes. I have to wonder about Hutch though and I also wonder about the laws. You'd think the starship captain would have the absolute final say, wouldn't you? But she caves in constantly, thinking about the repercussions if she doesn't. The end bit, where Tor needs rescuing, went on way, way too long. The idea was cool but McDevitt throws in problem after problem after problem until finally you're thinking, okay NOW what's going to go wrong? Good idea, just too much.
Helpful Score: 1
Well I tried not to like it! His style really doesn't suit me because of his fantastic unrealistic story lines and exceptionally detailed narrative, but damn it - I really enjoyed it. Fast paced (most of the time) and a real page turner. I get really annoyed with McDevitt every time I read one of his books, but still I come back.
Wonderfully imaginative and exciting !!
This is one of the best stories about the search for and possibility of extra-terrestrial life. Humans get a signal from a distant star, and the almost extinguished hope of finding life out there is re-kindled with a passion. The question is what does the message say? And what should be done about it? Great sci-fi, as I expect from Jack McDevitt.
